Morphological variability of upper paleolithic and mesolithic skulls from Sicily

Scenarios for the dispersal of Homo sapiens in Southern Europe and in the Mediterranean basin have been uncertain, given the scarceness of osteological samples and the simplicity of the proposed archaeologically-based settlement hypotheses. According to available data, the first anatomically modern humans entered Sicily during the Late Pleistocene, coming from the Italian peninsula. A presumably small Late Epigravettian population colonised coastal sites. Later, North-Western archaeological horizons gave hospitality to a significant Mesolithic expansion. In order to verify a hypothesis of continuity in the peopling of the island, we analyzed Sicilian skulls from the Late Epigravettian site of San Teodoro, Eastern Sicily (AMS14C dated at 14,500 BP) and from the Mesolithic period (14C dated from 9,500 to 8,500 BP) coming from various sites (Uzzo, Molara, Grotta d’Oriente) located on the North Western coast of the island. The aims were to test the biological variability through time within the island as well as to evaluate the relationships of Sicilian Pleistocene hunter-gatherers with Old World populations. We also evaluated the Sicilian Mesolithic uniformity especially between the Uzzo and Grotta d’Oriente sites, given their vicinity and accessibility during the Early Holocene. We applied 3D geometric morphometric methods to assess shape variation as well as geographic and diachronic morphological patterns. All analyzed specimens, plus a comparative sample from the Old World dated from the Upper Paleolithic to recent periods, were transformed in digital images and standard craniofacial landmarks were extracted from the 3D models. Our results underline a high variability among the Mesolithic specimens, as well as a large craniometric distance from the presumed founder Paleolithic settler representatives (San Teodoro specimens) that have closer morphological affinities with other European Upper Paleolithic specimens

A Review of Prebiotics Against Salmonella in Poultry: Current and Future Potential for Microbiome Research Applications

Prebiotics are typically fermentable feed additives that can directly or indirectly support a healthy intestinal microbiota. Prebiotics have gained increasing attention in the poultry industry as wariness toward antibiotic use has grown in the face of foodborne pathogen drug resistance. Their potential as feed additives to improve growth, promote beneficial gastrointestinal microbiota, and reduce human-associated pathogens, has been well documented. However, their mechanisms remain relatively unknown. Prebiotics increasing short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production in the cecum have long since been considered a potential source for pathogen reduction. It has been previously concluded that prebiotics can improve the safety of poultry products by promoting the overall health and well-being of the bird as well as provide for an intestinal environment that is unfavorable for foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella. To better understand the precise benefit conferred by several prebiotics, “omic” technologies have been suggested and utilized. The data acquired from emerging technologies of microbiomics and metabolomics may be able to generate a more comprehensive detailed understanding of the microbiota and metabolome in the poultry gastrointestinal tract. This understanding, in turn, may allow for improved administration and optimization of prebiotics to prevent foodborne illness as well as elucidate unknown mechanisms of prebiotic actions. This review explores the use of prebiotics in poultry, their impact on gut Salmonella populations, and how utilization of next-generation technologies can elucidate the underlying mechanisms of prebiotics as feed additives

KM3NeT broadcast optical data transport system

The optical data transport system of the KM3NeT neutrino telescope at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea will provide more than 6000 optical modules in the detector arrays with a point-to-point optical connection to the control stations onshore. The ARCA and ORCA detectors of KM3NeT are being installed at a depth of about 3500 m and 2500 m, respectively and their distance to the control stations is about 100 kilometers and 40 kilometers. In particular, the two detectors are optimised for the detection of cosmic neutrinos with energies above about 1 TeV (ARCA) and for the detection of atmospheric neutrinos with energies in the range 1 GeV-1 TeV (ORCA). The expected maximum data rate is 200 Mbps per optical module. The implemented optical data transport system matches the layouts of the networks of electro-optical cables and junction boxes in the deep sea. For efficient use of the fibres in the system the technology of Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing is applied. The performance of the optical system in terms of measured bit error rates, optical budget are presented. The next steps in the implementation of the system are also discussed

What, why and how–the policy, purpose and practice of grammatical terminology

© 2018, © 2018 National Association for the Teaching of English. This article critically examines the literature around grammar and grammatical terminology. It is essentially a critical consideration of the debates in England and Wales in four main parts. Part 1 considers debates in policy, the “What”, i.e. grammatical terminology from the perspective of national policy as defined by the English National Curriculum for Key Stages 1 and 2, and the Key Stage 2 “Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling Test”. Part 2, Debates in Purpose, examines the “Why”: it views grammatical terminology through a more theoretical lens which considers the potential purpose and value of explicit grammatical terminology in the classroom. Part 3 touches upon Debates in Practice, the “How”, examining what is already understood about the teaching of grammatical terminology in terms of grammar pedagogy, language acquisition and word learning. While each part has a distinct focus, the field is complex with overlap and interrelated issues. The final part looks briefly at teacher and pupil perspectives

Dietary practices in isovaleric acidemia:A European survey

Background: In Europe, dietary management of isovaleric acidemia (IVA) may vary widely. There is limited collective information about dietetic management. Aim: To describe European practice regarding the dietary management of IVA, prior to the availability of the E-IMD IVA guidelines (E-IMD 2014). Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire was sent to all European dietitians who were either members of the Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism Dietitians Group (SSIEM-DG) or whom had responded to previous questionnaires on dietetic practice (n=53). The questionnaire comprised 27 questions about the dietary management of IVA. Results: Information on 140 patients with IVA from 39 centres was reported. 133 patients (38 centres) were given a protein restricted diet. Leucine-free amino acid supplements (LFAA) were routinely used to supplement protein intake in 58% of centres. The median total protein intake prescribed achieved the WHO/FAO/UNU [2007] safe levels of protein intake in all age groups. Centres that prescribed LFAA had lower natural protein intakes in most age groups except 1 to 10 y. In contrast, when centres were not using LFAA, the median natural protein intake met WHO/FAO/UNU [2007] safe levels of protein intake in all age groups. Enteral tube feeding was rarely prescribed. Conclusions: This survey demonstrates wide differences in dietary practice in the management of IVA across European centres. It provides unique dietary data collectively representing European practices in IVA which can be used as a foundation to compare dietary management changes as a consequence of the first E-IMD IVA guidelines availability. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc

Dietary practices in propionic acidemia:A European survey

Background: The definitive dietary management of propionic acidaemia (PA) is unknown although natural protein restriction with adequate energy provision is of key importance. Aim: To describe European dietary practices in the management of patients with PA prior to the publication of the European PA guidelines. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey consisting of 27 questions about the dietary practices in PA patients circulated to European IMD dietitians and health professionals in 2014. Results: Information on protein restricted diets of 186 PA patients from 47 centres, representing 14 European countries was collected. Total protein intake [PA precursor-free L-amino acid supplements (PFAA) and natural protein] met WHO/FAO/UNU (2007) safe protein requirements for age in 36 centres (77%). PFAA were used to supplement natural protein intake in 81% (n = 38) of centres, providing a median of 44% (14-83%) of total protein requirement. Seventy-four per cent of patients were prescribed natural protein intakes below WHO/ FAO/UNU (2007) safe levels in one or more of the following age groups: 0-6 m, 7-12 m, 1-10 y, 11-16 y and > 16 y. Sixty-three per cent (n = 117) of patients were tube fed (74% gastrostomy), but only 22% received nocturnal feeds. Conclusions: There was high use of PFAA with intakes of natural protein commonly below WHO/FAO/UNU (2007) safe levels. Optimal dietary management can only be determined by longitudinal, multi-centre, prospective case controlled studies. The metabolic instability of PA and small patient cohorts in each centre ensure that this is a challenging undertaking

The utility of 3D medical imaging techniques for obtaining a reliable differential diagnosis of metastatic cancer in an Iron Age skull

In this report we present a case of neoplastic disease affecting an Iron Age skull that provides some of the earliest evidence of metastatic cancer (MC) in Western Europe

Posidonia oceanica as a historical monitor device of lead concentration in marine environment

We show that Posidonia oceanica is able to reliably monitor the variability of environmental lead (Pb). We analyze lead concentration measured in the scales and rhizomes of Posidonia oceanica collected in seven sites along the coasts of the Sicily island and subsequently fractioned them according to a lepidochronological analysis. We measure lead concentration in Posidonia oceanica tissues by using the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique. We compare the measured lead concentration with the estimated lead emission in air due to the gasoline sold and used for combustion in car engines in Sicily. By computation of the Pearson cross-correlation coefficient, we show that lead concentration which is measured in the scales of Posidonia oceanica, is statistically correlated to lead emission in air and reflects the level of lead pollution in the coastal marine environment

Remote Handling Refurbishment Process for the European IFMIF Target Assembly: Concept Design, Simulation and Validation in Virtual Environment

The remote handling (RH) maintenance of components of International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF) is one of the most challenging activities to be performed to guarantee the required high level of IFMIF plant availability. Among these components, the maintenance of the target assembly (TA) system appears to be critical, because it is located in the most severe region of neutron irradiation. The present European TA design is based on the so-called replaceable backplate (BP) bayonet concept. It was developed with the objective to reduce the waste material and to simplify the procedures for the target and BP replacement, thus reducing the intervention time for their substitution. The RH maintenance activity for the TA comprises a number of in situ refurbishment tasks, such as the removal of the BP, cleaning of surfaces from lithium solid deposition, inspection of the target body, installation of a new BP, and testing of the assembled system. However, there is also the possibility to replace the entire TA and to perform these refurbishment tasks offline in a dedicated hot cell. To accomplish all the refurbishment operations for the TA within the expected time for maintenance, the annual preventive maintenance period for IFMIF has been fixed in 20 days; several 3-D kinematic simulations in virtual reality environment and experimental activities aimed at developing and validating the implemented maintenance procedures for this component were carried out, in collaboration with the IDEAinVR Laboratory of CREATE/University of Naples Federico II, at the research center at ENEA Brasimone, Italy. The in situ refurbishment processes and the target replacement were simulated and tested and the feasibility of each maintenance operation was proved. In this paper, a description of the simulations and the validation activities carried out together with the main outcomes obtained are given

Remote Handling Refurbishment Process for the European IFMIF Target Assembly: Concept Design, Simulation and Validation in Virtual Environment

The remote handling (RH) maintenance of components of International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF) is one of the most challenging activities to be performed to guarantee the required high level of IFMIF plant availability. Among these components, the maintenance of the target assembly (TA) system appears to be critical, because it is located in the most severe region of neutron irradiation. The present European TA design is based on the so-called replaceable backplate (BP) bayonet concept. It was developed with the objective to reduce the waste material and to simplify the procedures for the target and BP replacement, thus reducing the intervention time for their substitution. The RH maintenance activity for the TA comprises a number of in situ refurbishment tasks, such as the removal of the BP, cleaning of surfaces from lithium solid deposition, inspection of the target body, installation of a new BP, and testing of the assembled system. However, there is also the possibility to replace the entire TA and to perform these refurbishment tasks offline in a dedicated hot cell. To accomplish all the refurbishment operations for the TA within the expected time for maintenance, the annual preventive maintenance period for IFMIF has been fixed in 20 days; several 3-D kinematic simulations in virtual reality environment and experimental activities aimed at developing and validating the implemented maintenance procedures for this component were carried out, in collaboration with the IDEAinVR Laboratory of CREATE/University of Naples Federico II, at the research center at ENEA Brasimone, Italy. The in situ refurbishment processes and the target replacement were simulated and tested and the feasibility of each maintenance operation was proved. In this paper, a description of the simulations and the validation activities carried out together with the main outcomes obtained are given